Have you heard of the 10,000 hour rule? The rule supposes that to achieve excellence in any chosen field you need to dedicate at least 10,000 hours of hard work and practice for success. According to a study on this theory so many hours are needed because “each of these hours presents us with a new opportunity. Each hour lets us learn something about ourselves. Each hour brings us closer to our future”. Mozart is a prime example of this theory. From the age of 3 he undertook a rigorous routine of daily instrumental practice, clocking up well over 10,000 hours before he’d even started sprouting a beard!
They say that ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’, and whilst perhaps this adage may be a little harsh in it’s manner, the point it makes is a valid one - whenever you want to pick up a new skill or excel at something, creating a game plan is the first step.
See, the human condition is hardwired for consistency. Routines and habits are created over time until they become second nature, and we implement them in our lives to offer a sense of security and control- we like to know what to expect, and when to expect it. Throughout history we have relied on the natural cycles of the world to survive, and so it makes sense that consistency is so important to success.
Whilst elitism is not guaranteed after these many hours of practice it is fair to say that persistence and routine are one of the key factors in success. Take the Olympians that have been gracing our screens of late for example; Adam Peaty did not win gold for the 100m breaststroke by going for a quick dip a couple of times a week. No, he did it by spending 40-hours in training each week in order to get his body and mind into peak physical condition.
Consistency is beneficial in all areas of our lives. Creating a daily routine helps to improve your sleep, your budgeting, your happiness, your stress levels, and (most importantly) your skincare.
Why you skin loves consistency
If you look at skin under the microscope you will find a whole society of microbial communities, with each individual having a completely unique microbiological makeup. Some of these microbes and bacteria are good for the skin health, whereas others can lead to acne, assist in premature aging, and other skincare complications. On a very basic level therefore, skincare products serve to promote skin health by shaping these microscopic communities.
But products are only effective when used consistently. It’s like with training for a marathon: you train on a regular basis to build up your fitness and stamina whilst simultaneously maintaining a healthy diet to nourish your body and give sustenance for this transformation. If you don’t train, or fail to give your body what it needs to progress, you’ll never finish the race. Similarly, with skincare, your skin needs consistency and quality to maintain healthy microbial communities.
Not only is a skincare routine good for your appearance, it’s also great for your mood. Kathy Fields and Katie Rodan studied the impact of a skincare regime on mood hormones and discovered that their 30 acne-prone participants’ cortisol levels (the hormone responsible for stress) dropped by an incredible 83%! Another study on how routine alone affects stress found that any “Regularized routines… can buffer the adverse impact of stress exposure on mental health”. The takeaway? Any routine is good for you- skincare especially.
Staying balanced through the seasons
As we explored in our previous article, seasonal changes can wreak havoc with our skins’ love of consistency. Thankfully our formulas are designed with this in mind, so there’s no need to worry about the impact Autumn’s debut may have on your skin and skincare routine. Our seasonal subscription was created so you can seamlessly maintain your skin routine.
Our ongoing seasonal subscription means you can guarantee that your skin’s delicate balance will be taken care of 365 days of the year, come rain, shine, or wind. You don’t need to fear running out and breaking your precious routine, so your skin will look incredible and feel protected every day.
“Regular skin care will not only better protect it from the harsh effects of [the seasons], but also keep you looking and feeling your best throughout the year. The key to skin resiliency is knowing your skin and treating it well.”
Steven Nwe, DO, a dermatologist with Northwestern Medicine.
Just a quick note...
We are now keeping only a limited number of subscription slots available each season to ensure we can keep up with ongoing demand, but we are really excited to open up the subscription again for Autumn, with 10% off and free postage, on September 9th!
We hope this article has shared a little of our passion for seasonal skincare with you, and that you’re now on your way to following the rhythm of nature just like us. We wholeheartedly believe that your skin deserves to be treated well every season, as a little thank you for the work it puts in everyday to protect and support you. If you’d like to learn more about our approach to skincare, or any other aspect of Aker, then feel free to contact us via contact@akerskincare.com.
